Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) reported earnings on Jan. 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Delta Air Lines beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew, and earnings per share grew significantly.

Margins improved across the board.

Revenue details
Delta Air Lines reported revenue of $8.4 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $8.3 billion. Sales were 7.8% higher than the prior-year quarter's $7.8 billion

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.45. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.38 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.50 for Q4 were much higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.02 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 44.7%, 2,450 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.7%, 450 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.1%, 490 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $8.2 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is -$0.10.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $36.1 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.25.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 531 members out of 908 rating the stock outperform, and 378 members rating it underperform. Among 222 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 127 give Delta Air Lines a green thumbs-up, and 95 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Delta Air Lines is outperform, with an average price target of $13.43.